Biggleswade Town 1 Hitchin Town 1

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Southern League 2024-25

Langford RoadLangford Rd, Biggleswade SG18 9JT, UK

Biggleswade Town
Hitchin Town
1 - 1
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Every game is a vital game, and this one today was a crucial fixture for both clubs. It was a bottom of the table clash, as the saying goes, and the points available were precious. Hitchin’s last result was one that was celebrated fulsomely by their supporters as it was interim manager Michael Jones’ first win in a league game, and it was well deserved. A sizeable away support came along to Langford Road to see if the rejuvenated Hitchin team could continue in good form.

There was an early raid that saw Deall’s intended shot well blocked. A well worked Waders’ free kick was defended adequately. Then Dan Stokoe conceded another, with Brigg’s floating the ball in to no beneficial effect. Briggs had a half chance erelong and we saw Andrews essay a long throw which indirectly led to a corner for the hosts, quickly followed by another. Onyeagwara,s shot was blocked and this pertinacity needed to be dealt with.

Hitchin forced a corner, cheered by the substantial number of away supporters behind the goal and this effort resulted in a free kick for the Waders. Before it was taken Sambou and Pantner received a reprimand from the referee. Then Biggleswade were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Panther’s low shot did not deceive Strizovic. Yet another home free kick was sent seeking but was a harmless effort.

Better was a long throw that could have been profitably exploited but this was a good spell for the Waders. Berman took the next free kick and although it was defended, Hitchin were still finding it hard to get into the opposition’s half. Strizovic was notable in a goalmouth melee when he was able to grasp the ball despite seeing it go loose for a second. There was a huge ironic cheer when Hitchin were awarded a free kick wide on the right, Gleeson sent it in, and Jones’ cross could not be capitalised on. In twenty- five minutes we had not seen a decent effort on goal from the visitors. There was a low shot from Ekongo, following clever work from Titchmarsh, but it was innocuous. Sambou’s cross saw a shot from Deall that drew a notable save from Berman. It looked for a moment that Hitchin had taken the lead.

Babale- Gumbs had a shot well saved by Strizovic and Chidyausiku found himself booked for dissent. The game had suddenly become exciting. A late offside flag out put paid to Hitchin’s next effort, but they did get a free kick on the right which was again taken by Gleeson. This was defended and, amazingly, the referee failed to see a blatant foul by Ciaren Jones. He then blew for a lesser offence which was awkwardly defended.

Another long throw from the hosts brought a half chance but no more. A clearance from Strizovic reached his counterpart and the next Biggleswade attack saw a fine pass to Babale- Gumbs who squeezed in his shot low to the right. The home celebration was spoilt by some choice language in the stand in front of us. The goal was timed at thirty-six minutes. It was a well-taken strike and gave the visitors a lot more to do. In this they were prevented by more persistent attacking play by the hosts.

Options up front for Hitchin looked minimal, and Deall’s fine shot counted little as he was well offside. Just two minutes of normal time remained for an unlikely equaliser. Four minutes were tacked on by the referee whilst we speculated that there could be a substitution whereby Snee and Luke Stokoe could boost the chances for Hitchin.

The Waders finished the half strongly with one effort landing on top of the net and Pyman won a late corner. This brought a free kick for Hitchin, which was something of a relief. Even so the punt from Strizovic saw Biggleswade retain possession, and shortly after, the whistle signalled the interval. There was a Hitchin substitution, but it was Barker for Syme. Early on we saw a weak, deflected shot from Titchmarsh and then a Hitchin corner, which led to a home free kick.

Titchmarsh was obstructed and a free kick was given in a central position at about twenty-three yards, and the hosts formed a four-man wall. Jones was unsuccessful with his shot. This led to a counterattack and a shot from Oneagwara, saved by Strizovic. A Hitchin effort from the right saw Franklin’s shot defended. The referee watched something of a melee involving the majority of players and after consulting his assistant he doled out punishment totalling three cautions. It was all a bit silly as it disrupted what rhythm the game was developing.

It seemed Hitchin could not occupy the opponents’ penalty area without committing a foul. Then Gleeson was booked which caused no gasps of astonishment. Jones sent in a fine ball but although it afforded real opportunity no-one could do much about it. Panter was booked for the Waders as Snee replaced the ineffective Chidyausiku.

A memorable moment was needed from Hitchin, something positive to quash the bad temper of some of the players. Gleeson was replaced by Stokoe as Strizovic did well to prevent the hosts doubling their lead. But it was all still a bit ugly as The Waders sent in an ineffective free kick. This game was characterised by the inordinate number of free kicks with a referee not imposing a more rigid discipline. He did however, put nine names into his book with five of those going to Hitchin.

Biggleswade were defending well and in depth and stoppages continued to be frequent. Deall tried to do it all on his own and after being dispossessed this led to a Waders’ counter. Tearle’s then replaced Deall. Sambou began a move which led unexpectedly to a Hitchin free kick and some avoidable off the ball antics, designed to frustrate. The poor old referee was struggling, even to get a Waders’ wall into the right spot. Tearle lined up for the shot, eventually. He had two goes since the first effort rebounded off a home player’s head.

A laborious Hitchin move saw Franklin break through, but it was faced by excellent home defending. Barker’s forward pass almost led to the equaliser and Franklin, clearly bundled over was denied the hoped for penalty. It is safe to assume that the beleaguered referee will not look back on this as the best of games under his direction, but many players had not made it easy for him. A Hitchin corner was then headed in for an eagerly anticipated equaliser by Ciaren Jones and after the celebrations had subsided, Tearle’s became the latest player cautioned. We were at about eighty- five minutes and a good deal of added time was expected given the fractious nature of the home that had caused many stoppages.

Given Hitchin’s aggression in forward play, the equaliser was deserved, but the hosts still defended stubbornly. Another Hitchin sailed in, and it led to a decent shot and a save by Berman. Only six minutes were added in which was parsimonious, but it was time enough for either side to snatch a dramatic winner. Yes, even a tap in would be dramatic in this ill- tempered game.

A Hitchin free kick needed to get into the box, and Strizovic obliged but the home defenders cleared robustly. Then another home foul and another free kick fir Hitchin. Strizovic saw the same result, and then, Snee on his own, failed to get the telling shot away and a draw was the result no-one seemed to want. One may say that at last this fixture had the feel of a local derby, much more than it usually has.

Realistically this was probably a fair result, but we owe much to Lewis Franklin’s show stopping interception as last man, in the last minute. Had he not won that vital tackle, the hosts would, in all probability, have scored. Credit goes to Ciaren Jones for his clean header that earned the point. It is difficult to conceive that such a quality player was omitted from the squad at one or games by the former manager. Speaking of managers, this was Michael Jones’ third game in charge, and he is yet to preside over a defeat.

We all enter uncharted territory next week when our guests are FA Cup heroes Harborough Town. The Leicestershire club are new to our division and are having a good season so far, but they were held at home by Royston at home today.

BIGGLESWADE
Berman, Pyman, Mirtahmasebi, Ibrahim, Briggs, cautioned, Doherty, Onyeagwara, cautioned, (Staszweski), Andrews, cautioned, Panter, cautioned, (Yamfam), Babale- Gumbs, GOAL, 1-0, 36 minutes, Florian.

Unused substitutes- Wilson, Steele, Tinubu.

HITCHIN
Strizovic, Franklin, Ekongo, cautioned, Sambou, Syme, (Barker), Jones, GOAL, 1-1, 85 minutes, this reporter’s Hitchin man of the match, Deall, cautioned, (Tearle, cautioned), Gleeson, cautioned, (Stokoe), Chidyausiku, cautioned, (Snee), D Stokoe, Titchmarsh, cautioned, (Sears). All substitutes used.

Referee, Mr F Roque, assisted by Mr M Whitworth and Mr D Jones.

Attendance 365

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Competition Season Attendance
Southern League 2024-25 365

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